Shopping Cart An inside look at Porter’s Office Products with Bart Hall.
When you walk into Porter’s Office Products, you might see a friendly face, a clean space, or a perfectly packed order. But behind all of that? You’ll find Bart Hall, the warehouse manager who keeps everything running smoothly. We sat down with Bart to get a real, unfiltered look at what the job actually involves.
The Basics: What Does a Warehouse Manager Actually Do?
“I do odd jobs,” Bart says with a laugh. But don’t let that fool you—his days are packed from start to finish. “I unload the freight and make sure it’s all correct. Then I either get it on the shelves or shipped out to customers.” It might sound straightforward, but anyone who’s worked in logistics knows it’s not. Bart wears a lot of hats: “I also take care of building maintenance, yard work… a little bit of everything.”
The Hardest Part? Walking Miles Every Day
When we asked about the toughest part of the job, Bart didn’t hesitate. “The physical part. I walk all day, no sitting. And I’m lifting constantly. For my age, those paper boxes aren’t light.” Let’s be honest—most of us aren’t hauling 40-pound cartons around for hours. This job demands strength, stamina, and some seriously good shoes
How Bart Stays Focused During the Chaos
The warehouse gets busy—fast. With deliveries, orders, and deadlines all happening at once, things can get intense. So how does Bart stay on top of it all? “Just focus on one thing at a time,” he says. “Multitasking sounds great, but it can mess you up.” It’s simple advice, but harder than it sounds in the middle of a rush.
Learning and Growing on the Job
Bart says the job has changed him in more ways than one. “You grow personally by meeting new people all the time. And professionally, I’ve learned what retail’s really like—what my coworkers deal with every day.” He’s also picked up some new skills. “I had to learn how to use a different kind of forklift, and I’ve started using computers more—even though I usually try to avoid them,” he adds with a grin.
A Big Win: Conquering the Paper Truck
One of Bart’s proudest recent moments? “Unloading the paper truck for the first time,” he says. “That forklift was totally different from what I’m used to. I’ve always run the sit-down ones, not the ones you move by hand.” If you’ve ever had to learn new equipment on the fly, you know how big that kind of win can feel.
Why the Warehouse Matters
When we asked Bart how his work fits into the bigger picture at Porter’s, he didn’t miss a beat. “We’re the backbone. We handle all the incoming and outgoing freight. Without us, nothing gets delivered.” He’s right. The storefront might be what customers see—but the warehouse is what keeps it all moving.
Support from the Team—and a Love for Staying Busy
Bart says he feels supported every day. “Yeah, all the time—from everyone I work with.” And what makes a day feel like a win? “When we’re busy enough that we’re not standing around looking for stuff to do. Time flies, things go smoothly, and we get everything done before I go home.”
What People Don’t Understand About Retail
Bart wishes more people knew what retail workers go through. “I’ve always said everyone should work retail at least once. Most people have no idea what really happens behind the scenes—not just here, but in grocery stores, department stores, everywhere.”
Final Thoughts? Keep Trying—and Blame Spencer (Just Kidding)
So what would Bart say to someone thinking about a job like his? “Pay attention to the details. Keep trying your best every day.” And if something goes wrong? He jokes, “Just blame Spencer.”
Being a warehouse manager at Porter’s isn’t about sitting in an office or writing out to-do lists. It’s about staying on your feet, solving problems, working as a team, and showing up ready to make things happen. The work is tough—but it’s real, honest, and essential. Just ask Bart Hall.
